Simple tips and advice on how to improve your home with this expert Home Improvement Blog.

Category: Appliances

Household electrical appliances are some of the most expensive items you will ever purchase. To ensure that your appliances lasts as long as it is required to, you have to take some preventative measures that will ensure you get the most out of them. The following are a few maintenance tips that will help your electrical appliances last longer.

Washing Machine

At all times ensure that the pockets of your clothes are empty to avoid objects such as coins that can damage the drum located in your washing machine. Even if the damage may not manifest itself quickly, a damaged drum can make your clothes wear out more quickly than usual. Never overload your washing machine as an attempt to avoid doing an extra load. Overloading it puts too much strain on your motor, which makes it wear out faster, thus reducing its lifespan.

Hoses that supply water to your washing machine are normally made of rubber, which with age begins to degrade. These pipes could lead to huge expenses and also cause inconveniences. This is why you need to ensure that they are replaced when they get old.

The Dryers

It is important to vacuum the inside of your dryer’s ventilation pipes regularly. You don’t want lint builds up and clogs both the hoses and filters. When they get clogged, they tend to take longer to dry your load, which in turn wears out the engine. Perfume a maintenance check up on the vent. The vent should stay closed until the dryer is turned on. Its main function is to expel moisture from the dryer. If it fails, you could lose hot or cold air depending on the season. This could render all your energy-saving efforts in vain.

The Refrigerators

Your fridge has a condenser coil that is usually located at the back. Over time, dust may build up on the coils, which impairs them and as a consequence reduces the ability of the fridge to work properly. This means that you need to have them cleaned on a regular basis. During the cleaning process, ensure that your refrigerator is disconnected from the power source. The outer side of the coils should also be vacuumed.

The Dishwasher

It might seem unnecessary to clean the dishwasher, but it is very vital. The sealing underneath your countertop, just at the top of the door gets gunky with time. If it is not cleaned, the door may fail to properly seal in water and heat, which could lead to leakage. It is also important to clean the arm of your dishwasher. This is because food particles could accumulate in the nozzles. If you find out that your dishes are not getting as clean as they used to, you need to clean out the tiny jets.

Ensuring a regular maintenance check-up of your electrical appliances will always be a point plus for you. Also, all appliances should be cleaned regularly. Taking preventative measures while operating your appliances will prolong their life and keep them in good conditions. If you’re in Australia you can consult Gordon Powers which has the best level 2 electricians Sydney has to offer to guide you on how to take care of your appliances.

If you’re about to splash out on a brand new kitchen this year then you’ll no doubt want to be spending your money wisely. The kitchen is one of the most vital rooms in the home and can add significant value to your property if the space is used wisely. Before you begin planning your new kitchen, take minute to look through these key design tips and ensure you factor them into your design.

Surface Space

One thing people need an abundance of is surface space, so don’t undervalue its importance when creating your plans. To maximise the amount of surface space you create you could add an island or an L shaped arm from the edge of the room. Choose a sturdy but attractive work surface so that, regardless of whether people want a food prep area or just an area to sit and eat breakfast at, you end up with a practical space.

Illumination

Another key design matter people often overlook is their lighting. While you have the bright sunshine in summer you have to consider how dark things can get in winter, especially if you’re hemmed in by cupboards overhead. For this reason, in addition to any lights you have in the ceiling, you should get lights under your cupboards. These can come in the form of spotlights or longer strip lighting and can be turned on and off individually if you want the flexibility in your lighting.

Oven Choices

The main purpose of the kitchen is to cook, so it stands to reason that the oven you choose is selected specifically for your layout and the needs of your family. There are many different manufacturers, models and designs available to you and it can be a little overwhelming if you’re not sure which cooker to buy. To help make the process of selecting a new appliance easier you can take a look at the Domex buying guide for ovens here.

Colours & Trends

It’s great to have a colour scheme in mind, picking a couple of colours as your main palette base and perhaps a third minor colour. This helps to keep the design of your kitchen from getting out of hand and gives it an attractive finish. However, keep your eye on the latest kitchen trends and ensure you aren’t throwing all your passion into one particular design which will be dated before you know it. Something timeless and suited to your own taste will undoubtedly stand the test of time better than some fad, which you could end up paying more than you should for.

Storage & Bins

One practical aspect of modern kitchen design is that we have started to hide our bins, dividing them into ordinary waste and recycling waste. This is a great way to tidy up the room, but it does beg the question: how much space do you have to play with? If you have enough for everything plus a bin cupboard then great, but if you don’t you need to think about where everything will fit. Cupboards, drawers and pullout racks all need to be planned in with a specific purpose to ensure you make the most of your space.

Thinking about the future of your new kitchen, keep in mind the changing fads and fashions and try to create something both practical and long lasting in terms of its aesthetic appeal.

There are so many variants of washing machine, in its humble beginnings to more modern built in washer dryers and eventual steam cleans and other scary tech. For the moment though, there’s a problem people face with how best to maintain their washer. Here, I’ve compiled a list of five of the things to think of when faced with a dirty washer.

Deep cleaning – Do your clothes come out as clean as they should? Or is there a funny smell inside the drum? It’s time for a deep clean then! There are several products out there that tackle the grimiest of deposits, but you’ll want to run an empty cycle to clean your machine too. You can make your own DIY washing – machine cleaner! Make a solution of 3/4 cup of bleach and 1 tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent. Let the solution run down a soak cycle of your machine, and then run rinse it to get rid of the bleach and clear it out.

Clean that fabric softener dispenser – Probably the nastiest part of any washing machine, at least at my mum’s house, the drawer is packed full of nasties. Clean it out; it will get rid of the smell!

Mop up spills – If you spill anything on your washer, you should wipe it away with a damp cloth or wet wipe straight away — don’t let the spill sit for long. What’s the issue? Most washer tops are made of porcelain or synthetic enamel. This finish can be damaged by exposure to liquid solutions, even tea!

Clean the door – If your machine happens to be an integrated washing machine, you may find gunk in between the doors, on the ledge of the door, etc. Give everything a good solid wipe, and maybe even take the door off for a proper clean.

Keep the door open – You’re supposed to leave the lid or door to the washing machine open after every load! I only learnt this recently, but leaving the door close doesn’t let the moisture evaporate effectively. Don’t close the door!

Wipe it down — out ‘n’ in – It’s important to wipe down the outside of your washing machine about once a week, just as you would any surface at home. The best solution is a mild dishwashing soap (which cuts grease) and hot water. Don’t forget the drums – You should wipe down the inside drum of the machine with a damp cloth. It’s easy for lint, dirt or soapy residue to build up inside.

Saving money is of the utmost importance to many households today. Given the cost of everything is rising, making these small changes to help control your energy costs can really pay off in the long run. If you have been considering ways of reducing your energy usage, there are a few things that you can do. Here is a list of the 5 best energy saving appliances and a look at how much they can save you over the course of a year:

In the Kitchen

Dishwasher

Many homes today have automatic dishwashers and while washing and drying dishes the old fashioned way may be the best energy saver, there are many modern dishwasher models that are designed specifically to use less water and electricity than older models. Choosing a model that gives you options between light and energy saving wash cycles is a good way to help save throughout the year. A good energy efficient dishwasher can save you more than £300 per year on water and electricity combined.

Refrigerator

Energy efficient refrigerators are everywhere today and buying one can cut your electricity costs significantly. While the initial expense may be a bit high, you can more than make this cost up over the next few years on energy savings alone. Experts recommend replacing a refrigerator that is more than 20 years old. In doing so, you can save up to £100 per year and if you choose an energy efficient model you can add an additional 15 per cent to these savings.

In the Bathroom

Water Heater

A water heater that is more than ten years old will use approximately 50 per cent more energy than one that is significantly newer. Replacing your old water heater with a newer model can help you to save several hundred gallons of water each year, resulting in a significant savings for your wallet as well.

Washing Machine

Washing machines that were produced before 1994 tend to use more electricity and water than those made today. If your washer is more than 20 years old, upgrading it can help you to save more than £100 on your energy costs every year. Choose an energy efficient model and you will be using just half of the energy it takes to run other models. You can save up to 20 gallons of water per large washing load as well.

Around the House

Air Conditioner

If you use window air conditioners that are more than ten years old, you are wasting energy. Buying a newer model can help you to save as much as 50 per cent on those energy costs. Running a smaller window type air conditioner is a much more efficient way to cool your home, particularly if you keep certain rooms closed off.

Summary

All of these appliances can help you to cut energy costs and save money and while purchasing them may seem like quite an expense, you will definitely notice an improvement in your electricity and water costs.

This article was provided by Electric Point, electrical wholesalers UK. Visit their site to view their selection of domestic consumer units and other products.